Electrode holder



Dec. 22, 1936. H. O. GRUELL ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Oct. 3, 1935 INVENTOR. Herbs/ f Q. Grue/l A ORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 22, 1936 2,064,908

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" ELECTRODE HOLDER Herbert Q. Gruell, Eila-nger, Ky. Application October a, 1935, Serial No. 43,332

1 Claim. (01.219-8) The present invention relates to a holder for only under various dimculties. Particular attenelectrodes such as are used in the welding or tion is directed to the fact that the improved debrazing art. vice of this invention employs no screw threaded An object of", the invention is to provide a holder chuck to be ruined or rendered inoperative by of the character stated, which embodies various the intense heat of the welding operation, nor 5 features of construction whereby electrodes may does it employ any type of tempered spring which be held securely and in convenient positions for is so limited in area as to be incap bl of dissioperating upon w rk hi h i awkwardly 1opating heat imparted thereto during the welding cated or accessible under difllculties. operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide h e ce o Figure 1 O he a c pany- 10 an electrode holder having means for facilitating ing drawing, the h t r 4 indicates a handle and simplifying the application and removal of construction of suitable insulating material and electrodes, and in which the various constituent having formed therein a Series Of apertures 5 parts are so constructed and arranged as to be f0! ventilating the handle. within the handle unaffected by the intense heat imparted thereto i supported the handl core 8 which has formed 15 by th electrode in therein a recess or bore I, in which is secured A further object of the invention is to prothe end 3 f a wire strand cable 9. The end 8 vide an electrode holder of improved construc- 9f the cable ay be secured within the bore 1 tion including means for ventilating the handle In any suitable manner such as y means of thereof, and a clamping lever substantially 00- r. Wed s, screws or the like. It will be extensive t t handle providing th noted that the circumference of the core 6 is 20 piece for facilitating partial rotation or rocking spa-cedfiom the interior 0! the handle as nd of the electrode holder in opposition to the ricated at 9, to furnish an air space o Ventilating gidity of the heavy electricity feed cable thereof. the handle and r in heat from the core. 6.

5 The foregoing and other objects are attained Extehdihi forwardly of the Core 6 s a metallic by the means described herein and disclosed in fOFWaId extension w h P rforms as a cont accompanying drawing 1;; whlch; ductor of electricity from the cable 9 to the for- 1 1 1s a slde View of t electmde holder of ward end of the holder. The forward extension the invention, It carries one or more spaced brackets or lugs Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line adapted to receive a D riv r h like,

2.4 of F'1g 1 which provides a fulcrum for the combined 30 Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line clamp and torque Control a d ted g n- 3 3 of 1 1 erally by the character II. The combined clamp In the ordinary type of electrode holder hereand torque n rol handle is constructed of tofore known and used, considerable 'difllculty in metal, at least from the fulcrum l3 to as invariably was encountered in the attempt to the real end f- F w y f the 1111- keep the holder in condition for securely clampcl'ilm 0f the boss it Which forms p r of th ing the electrodes, due to the fact that the infulcrum, th m mber I is developed to pr vide tense heat generated at the electrode was transa clamp pl r law i which Plate jaw eX- 40 mitted to the various parts of th h ld r and tends longitudinally of the forward extension l0 quickly destroyed the resiliency of the springs d b neath a overhanging lip I! at the teror resilient parts relied upon for a clamping force ,minal end of the forward extension. It will be upon theelectrode. The prior devices were obnoted that the nose of the device is of substaniectionable also in that the electrode was intially O shape, with the overhangin lip '8 sunsortable only at substantially right angles to the ported by an apertured transvers p at portion 5 axis of the holder, thereby rendering difllcult IS. The aperture 20 of portion I9 is adapted to the welding of overhead objects. The present receive therein an electrode which will rest in device embodies various features of construction abutting relationship upon the inner face 2| of whereby overhead structures may be operated I the overhanging lip l8, while the clamp plate or upon with ease and comfort to the operator, with jaw l'l applies a lateral force to the end of the 50 the electrode projecting substantially forwardly electrode. When an electrode is inserted in the of the holder, rather than laterally therefrom. aperture 20 so as to extend axially of the holder, The structural design of the present holder perthe inner end of the electrode rests within a fricmits also an increased flexibility such as will pertion groove 22 of the clamping plate or jaw, and

mit operating upon objects which are accessible this groove preferably is provided with sufllcient- 5 1y sharp edges 23 such as will effectively prevent accidental rotation of the electrode within the aperture 20. A second friction groove 24 crosses the groove 22 and extends laterally of the clamping plate for the purpose of frictionally holding an electrode crosswise of the clamping plate. Thus an electrode may be supported either forwardly in alignment with the holder, or laterally thereof across the clamping plate il.

As stated previously, the combined clamp and torque control handle i4 is constructed of spring metal and is sufficiently large in area to radiate whatever heat may be imparted thereto through the clamping plate during the welding operation. It is found desirable to employ as the clamp and torque control handle, a long flat strip of spring steel properly tempered and exposed to the air so completely as to insure maximum heat radiation. It will be noted that the inclined intermediate portion 25 of the member I4 is in no manner housed or encased as would be the helical spring heretofore employed in devices of the character under consideration. This inclined portion 25, being directly connected to the clamping plate I! through the boss i6 thereof, is the hottest part of the spring steel handle member I 4, and it has been discovered, in practice, that the long incline 25 radiates sufficient heat to insure a normal temperature of that portion of member i4 which overlies the fibrous or insulated handle 4. It will be understood, of course, that the entire length of the member performs as a heat radiator, as under normal conditions of use even the handle 4 reaches a temperature considerably higher than that of the surrounding atmosphere.

Due to the heating of the handle 4 through the extension Iii and core 6, it is found that added comfort to the operators hand is furnished by making the rearward extension 26 of the clamp handle substantially co-extensive in length with the length of the insulated handle 4, so that the operator in grasping both handles conveniently spaces a considerable area of his hand from the handle 4. In the absence of the extension 26, an operator would be required to hold the heated handle 4 with the full contact of his hand thereon, which would produce fatiguing effects on account of exposure of the entire hand to the radiation of heat from the large area of the handle 4.

The spaced rearward extension 26 of the clamp control handle performs also a second function, namely, that of facilitating bodily rotation of the holder, as is often necessary for reaching weldable areas which are not easily accessible. The bodily rotation of the electrode holder is accomplished only by the use of considerable force, as the rigidity of the wire strand cable 9 opposes such rotational movement. The extension 26, therefore, furnishes the necessary leverage to effect a bodily rotation of the holder without unnecessary strain upon the operators hand and wrist.

It will be noted that the combined clamp and torque control handle is so arranged that any force applied thereto by the operators fingers results in tightening rather than loosening the clamping action upon the electrode in the region of the clamping plate or jaw I'I. As a result of this construction, it is possible to provide a very simple means of maintaining the clamping plate securely in abutment upon the electrode. One form of simple securing means is disclosed. this being in the shape of a ring or link 28 which is preferably oblong in plan, and which is provided with a cross piece 2! to prevent the ring or link from becoming disassociated from the extension l0. To effect a secure clamping action upon the electrode, it is necessary only for the operator to depress the handle 28 toward the handle 4 while the electrode holder is held with its nose is elevated, whereupon the ring or link falls into position, such as the position shown in Figure 1, for maintaining the inclined portion 25 in a strained or flexed condition. Conversely, to release the clamping action, the operator need only lower the nose of the device and apply force to the extension 28, whereupon the ring or link will release its hold and gravitate toward the fulcrum l3, thereby to free the clamp contml handle l4,

The character 29 indicates a strip of fibre or other insulating material which is suitably secured to the face l2. of extension l0 and disposed along so much of the area of said face as to prevent metal to metal contact between the ring 28 and any metallic part of extension II. The purpose of the insulation strip 29 is to eliminate the possibility of arcing at the ring, which would have the effect of further heating the electrode holder and possibly welding the ring or link 28 thereto. A second sheet 20 of insulated material may be nxed to a flange ll of extension III, to provide a transverse shield or guard for protecting the operator's hand from the injurious effects of hot flying metal.

The electrode holder herein illustrated and described has been found entirely free of all complications arising from splattering molten metal, as there are no springs or other elements to catch such metal and become caked therewith so as to render inoperative the moving parts. The upper face of incline 25 is smooth and will deflect practically all flying particles directed thereto, so that under no circumstances will the clamping arrangement become inoperative or impaired in its effectiveness. The radiating area of member I4, which is large compared to that of an ordinary helical spring, preserves the temper thereof with the result that such part outlasts the other elements of the device. Noteworthy also is the simplicity of construction, and especially the simplicity and ease of operation, of the securing means for the clamping handle.

The improvement which comprises the provision of means for mounting the electrode axially of the holder rather than laterally thereof, is of considerable importance. The construction disclosed avoids the use of complicated and ineffective forms of laws or chucks. and simplifies and facilitates operating in close quarters and upon overhead and vertical work.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for welding electrodes which comprises in combination, a handle and a forward extension supported by the handle, including means for holding an electrode in substantial alignment with the handle, an electrode clamp adjacent to a terminal end of said extension, and a clamp control element likewise having a handle portion disposed longitudinally of and substantially coextensively with the first mentioned handle, in spaced relation thereto so as j to be grasped conjointly therewith, and including a resilient portion inclined toward said forward extension, and means for maintaining a clamped relationship of the clamp upon an electrode, said means comprising a sliding link adapted to slide toward the electrode clamp to release the electrode upon movement of the handles toward one another.

2. A holder for welding electrodes which comprises in combination, a handle and a forward extension supported by the handle, a nose on the extension comprising a rearwardly extended lip overhanging a portion of said extension, a clamp plate movable toward -and from the extension beneath said lip for clamping and releasing an electrode to be held against said lip, means for pivotally mounting the clamp plate upon the extension intermediate said nose and said handle, and a clamp actuating element comprising a substantially straight resilient part having a large heat-radiating area.

3. A holder for welding electrodes which comprises in combination, a handle and a forward extension supported by the handle, a nose on the extension comprising a lip overhanging a portion of said extension, a clamp plate movable toward and from the extension beneath said lip for clamping and releasing an electrode to be held against said lip, means for pivotally mounting the clamp plate upon the extension intermediate said nose and said handle, a clamp actuating element comprising a substantially straight resilient part having a large heat-radiating area, and a rearwardly extending handle portion on said actuating element, disposed alongside the first mentioned handle in substantial coextensive relationship therewith.

4. A holder for welding electrodes which comprises in combination, a handle and a forward extension supported by the handle, an apertured nose on the extension comprising a lip turned rearwardly toward the handle in spaced relationship with said extension for overhanging a portion of said extension, a clamp plate movable toward and from the extension beneath said lip for clamping and releasing an electrode inserted in the aperture of the nose and held against said lip, means for pivotally mounting the clamp plate upon the extension intermediate said nose and said handle, a clamp actuating element comprising a substantially straight resilient part having a large heat-radiating area and including an inclined face extending rearwardly from the clamp plate, and means for maintaining a strained condition of said resilient part of the clamp actuating element.

5. A holder for welding electrodes which comprises in combination, a handle and a forward extension supported by the handle, a nose on the extension comprising an apertured transverse wall and a lip extending rearwardly of'said wall to overhang a portion of said extension, a clamp plate movable toward and from the lip and past the aperture of the transverse wall, for clamping and releasing an electrode extendin through said aperture and in abutment upon the lip, and a clamp plate actuator for moving the plate as aforesaid, and including a rearward extension disposed rearwardly toward and alongside of the first mentioned handle.

6. A holder for welding electrodes which comprises in combination, a handle and a forward extension supported by the handle, a nose on the extension comprising an apertured transverse wall and a lip extending rearwardly of said wall to overhang a portion of said extension, a clamp plate movable toward and from the lip and past the aperture of the transverse wall, for clamping and releasing an electrode extending through said aperture and in abutment upon the lip, and a clamp plate actuator for moving the plate as aforesaid.

7. A holder for welding electrodes which comprises in combination, a handle and a forward extension supported by the handle, a nose on the extension comprising an apertured transverse wall and a lip extending rearwardly of said wall to overhang a portion of said extension, a clamp plate movable toward and from the lip and past the aperture of the transverse wall, for clamping and releasing an electrode extending through said aperture and in abutment upon the lip, and a clamp plate actuator for moving the plate as aforesaid, said actuator including an inclined face diverging outwardly and rearwardly from the forward extension and toward the handle, and a member slidable along said extension and said inclined face, for urging the clamp plate actuator toward the clamping position of the clamp plate upon the electrode.

HERBERT Q. GRUELL. 

